News - Page 110 of 1912 - Potomac Local News

Meet the Principal: Q+A with Ellis Elementary’s New Principal, Andy Jacks

Published October 11, 2024 at 9:00AM

Welcome (or welcome back) to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles. Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

Today, get to know Andrew “Andy” Jacks, Ed.D., the new principal of Ellis Elementary School in Bull Run. He’s been an educator for nearly 25 years and has been a principal in Prince William County Schools (PWCS) since 2010.

Special Olympics Virginia Announces Return of Annual Polar Plunge Events

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 11, 2024 at 8:00AM

Polar plungers take a dip in the Potomac River at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. [Photo: Mike Beaty]

Ready to chill out for a great cause? Special Olympics Virginia’s annual Polar Plunge events are back, and it’s time to make a splash! Registration is now OPEN for the coolest, most exhilarating event series in the state. Get your swimsuit ready (and maybe some warm towels) because this year’s plunges are bigger, bolder and even more fun!

From the icy shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the frigid waters of lakes and pools statewide, thousands of brave participants will jump into freezing waters – all for the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Virginia. Whether you’re a first-time plunger or a seasoned veteran, this is your chance to be FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON!

Prince William County Supervisors Approve New Positions for Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Amid Funding Challenges

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 10, 2024 at 3:00PM

Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth (Photo: Mike Beaty)

In a meeting on October 8, 2024, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved funding for new positions in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, addressing the office’s need for additional resources to handle an increasing caseload. The positions include four new attorney roles: paralegal, victim-witness staff, and administrative staff. Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth emphasized the importance of these positions for the efficiency and effectiveness of the county’s criminal justice system.

The new hires come after Ashworth said she would withhold prosecution of certain misdemeanor charges, effective May 1, 2024, if county leaders don’t give her more employees.

RACSB Partners with Altruix Pharmacy to Expand Access to Medication for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 10, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) has announced a new partnership with Altruix Pharmacy to improve access to medication for individuals with behavioral health concerns and developmental disabilities. The collaboration aims to overcome barriers that prevent individuals from taking their prescribed medications, such as transportation, time, and cost.

Joe Wickens, executive director of RACSB, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “The individuals we serve have unique needs. Altruix focuses on behavioral healthcare and developmental disability services, giving them valuable expertise. The pharmacy team will provide tailored care to the people we serve and offer a valuable resource to our employees.”

Stafford Funeral Home Donates Refrigerated Trailer to Aid North Carolina Towns Hit by Hurricane Helene

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 10, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Flood-ravaged Swannanoa, N.C. [Submitted photo]

The trailer, purchased initially during the coronavirus pandemic, was donated after a call between Gibbs and Tyler Puckett, Harwood Homes Funeral Home operator. The funeral home in Black Mountain, just five miles from the equally devastated town of Swannanoa, found itself in desperate need of body storage as the death toll rose. “We just wanted to help out in any way we can,” said Gibbs, who sent the trailer that arrived in flood-ravaged North Carolina on Friday, October 4. The trailer, worth $30,000, arrived that evening and is currently stationed at Puckett’s cemetery near his funeral home.

In addition to the trailer, Gibbs called on the community to contribute non-perishable foods, blankets, and other essential supplies for the affected area. NAPA Auto Parts in Stafford also donated a battery for the trailer, which runs on diesel and has built-in shelves to accommodate the increasing number of victims.

Marine Corps Museum Unveils Two Galleries to Public

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 10, 2024 at 1:00PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the Commanding General of Training and Education Command and Sgt. Maj. Stephen Griffin, the Command Sgt. Maj. of Training and Education Command, cut a ribbon at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle on Sunday. [U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Juaquin Greaves]

The National Museum of the Marine Corps unveiled two new galleries to the public on Sunday, commemorating the exhibits with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The galleries feature hundreds of artifacts from all major United States Marine Corps operations from 1976 to 2021, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As the 250th anniversary of the Corps approaches, this new exhibit will showcase the most recent 50 years.

Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to Diverting $12M from Air Force Contract

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 10, 2024 at 10:49AM

From The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia:

Two executives at a contractor for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) pled guilty to theft of government property after diverting over $12 million from an Air Force contract to pay for unrelated personal and business expenses.

Fredericksburg’s Book Festival Offers Insights for Independent Writers, Eyes Expansion

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 10, 2024 at 10:00AM

The annual Independent Book Festival returns to Fredericksburg on October 12, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park. Founded in 2015 by local authors James Noll and Chris Jones, the festival offers writers a platform to promote their work, attend panels, and network with other authors.

Noll, who began his independent publishing journey in 2013, visited over 24 events in a single year—including comic cons, horror cons, and book festivals—in an effort to learn about the industry. “The travel was exhausting, but I realized nobody was hosting a book event in Fredericksburg,” said Noll. “So, I decided to make it happen.” He partnered with local writers Amy Bayne and Chris Jones to launch the festival. Though Bayne left the team in 2018, Noll and Jones continue to run the event.

Amazon Data Center Sparks Complaints from Manassas Businesses Over Construction Impact

By Alan Gloss

Published October 10, 2024 at 9:11AM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

In a view from within the Life Connection Church, construction crews perform maintenance on their vehicles in the Church’s parking lot. [Submitted Photo]

As construction continues on an Amazon Web Services data center on Technology Boulevard in Manassas, local businesses are raising concerns about the project’s impacts on their operations.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

James Madison Marketplace in Haymarket Eyed for Tesla Dealership

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 10, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 10, 2024 at 9:25AM

[Photo by Pixabay via Pexels]

The Prince William Planning Commission unanimously approved a special use permit for the project during its Sept. 11 meeting. Measuring 50,215 square feet, the dealership is planned for a 7.9-acre pad site due west of a Home Depot and will include over 300 surface parking spaces. The project has yet to appear on a Board of County Supervisors agenda.”